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The traditional performances focus on telling the everyday stories of common people, and can involve music, dance, and comedy.

Why We Love It

"This photo has many layers to engage the viewer­—the bold colors, the theatrical backdrop, the costume, and the unique framing of the performer. It pulls you in and makes you want to learn more about this centuries-old tradition from Indonesia."—Monica Corcoran, senior photo editor

Photograph by Ali Usman Wahyu Hidayat, My Shot

Joy

Amidst the rubble of uprooted families fleeing fighting in Pakistani tribal areas, a group of children on the outskirts of Islamabad (map) find a small ray of light.

In a picture taken January 28, a young girl skips rope in the alley of a neighborhood near the capital city.

Why We Love It

"The light and color palette of this image create a subdued background for the beaming smile of the girl. Your eye is drawn directly to her face, the most important feature of the photo."—Janna Dotschkal, associate photo editor

"Smile and the world smiles with you—the power of the little girl's expression is unmistakable and mesmerizing. The other children are frozen and transported, if only for a split second, from a muddy alley to a joyful place."—Monica Corcoran, senior photo editor

Photograph by Muhammed Muheisen, AP

Baby’s First Appearance

A four-week-old greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) named Jamil (pictured) made his public debut on January 28 at the Whipsnade Zoo just north of London.

Weighing 130 pounds (59 kilograms) at birth, the new rhinoceros participated in the zoo's annual census, where keepers count every vertebrate and invertebrate in their care.

"This almost feels like a portrait you could have orchestrated with a human mother and child. I really love that the posture and pose of the baby rhino mirrors that of the mother."—Katel LeDu, director of photography and video

"The lighting of this photo gives it an unusual, fashion-like feel. I also appreciate that it doesn't attempt to hide the fact that these animals are captive."—Chris Combs, news photo editor

Migrant workers and their children usually end up performing this dusty, backbreaking work.

Why We Love It

"The soft morning light contrasts with the treacherous work displayed in this image. While skillfully balancing the bricks, the worker is enveloped by dust clouds and monotone colors, creating a sense of warmth in an otherwise harsh environment; a quiet pause in an otherwise chaotic scene."—Sarah Polger, senior photo editor

Photograph by Souvik Rodricks, Your Shot

Monster Wave

Severe wind and rain struck cities across Portugal January 18 and 19, causing millions of euros worth of damage and at least one death, according to news reports.

Infrastructure wasn't spared nature's wrath as huge waves pounded the coast. Cabedelo lighthouse in Porto, Portugal (map) stands tall against a wall of incoming water in a picture taken January 19.

Why We Love It

"We see a lot of beautiful wave photographs, but this image from Portugal is particularly well composed, with interesting textures and details throughout the frame. The dramatic light doesn't hurt either!"—Chris Combs, news photo editor

Photograph by Jose Coelho, European Pressphoto Agency

Dancer at Rest

The magnitude 7 earthquake that struck near Port au Prince, Haiti, in January 2010 so devastated the country that recovery efforts are still ongoing.

Professional dancer Georges Exantus, one of the many casualties of that day, was trapped in his flattened apartment for three days, according to news reports. After friends dug him out, doctors amputated his right leg below the knee. With the help of a prosthetic leg, Exantus is able to dance again. (Read about his comeback.)

Why We Love It

"This is an intimate photo, taken in the subject's most personal space as he lies asleep and vulnerable, perhaps unaware of the photographer. The dancer's prosthetic leg lies in the foreground as an unavoidable reminder of the hardships he faced in the 2010 earthquake. This image makes me want to hear more of Georges' story."—Ben Fitch, associate photo editor

"This image uses aesthetics and the beauty of suggestion to tell a story. We are not given all the details in the image, but it is enough to make us question and wonder."—Janna Dotschkal, associate photo editor

Photograph by Dieu Nalio Chery, AP

Clashes in Cairo

Tahrir Square in Cairo (map), symbol of the Arab Spring, is witness to ongoing clashes between protesters and riot police in this picture taken near the iconic location on January 27.

Egyptians are taking to the streets to protest a government dominated by Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood, with protesters in Port Said and other cities calling for secession, according to Voice of America reports.

Why We Love It

"What makes this frame interesting to me is the unique balance in its composition. The right half of the frame is busy, disorderly, and crowded with protesters. The left half of the image is almost empty of humans while lasers divide up the negative space like a puzzle. The organic business of the right half of the frame and the clean, graphic lines of the left half create an interesting balance that makes this chaotic scene easier to digest."—Ben Fitch, associate photo editor

"The muted colors in this photo are so refreshing. The hummingbird is perfectly suspended, with its head cocked neatly to one side. It's nice to see an image of a hummingbird that isn't focused on bright colors or the flash of wings."—Janna Dotschkal, associate photo editor

"I'm sure this photo took more than a few tries! Persistence really does pay off."—Chris Combs, news photo editor

The Nordic Combined World Cup is a combination of three competitions involving ski-jumping and cross-country skiing. The winner of the individual Gundersen is first in the starting order for the cross-country skiing portion of the event.

Why We Love It

"From a purely visual standpoint, the animated silhouette perfectly framed in the window is very appealing to look at. On a more visceral level, being right there in the jumping tower, I feel the anticipation of what is to come as the skiers make their way down the ramp and beyond."—Alexa Keefe, photography producer

Photograph by Jens Meyer, AP

Homeward Bound

Smothered in a sea of humanity, an overcrowded train in Dhaka, Bangladesh (map), bears Muslims home in this picture taken January 20.

The devotes are returning home after participating in the Akheri Munakat, or concluding prayers, of a three-day congregation on the banks of the Turag near Dhaka. The annual congregation draws millions of Muslims from around the world.

Why We Love It

"This is a fresh take on a familiar scene, thanks to its unusual perspective and the care with which it was composed. I like being able to see the individual emotions and interactions of a few of the train's many riders."—Chris Combs, news photo editor

"When I first saw this picture, the word 'mosaic' popped into my head. The perspective of the people in focus atop the train against the less detailed mass of people along the train cars' sides give it an almost pointillist feel."—Katel LeDu, director of photography and video